MP HANDS OVER SCHOOLS AFTER RENOVATION (GRAPHIC NSEMPA, PAGE 15, MAY 31, 2010)

By Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah and James K. Baah, Sunyani.

Renovation work has been completed on the 10-unit Penkwase Junior High and Urban Council Junior High Schools in the Sunyani Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region at a total cost of GH¢ I5, 000.
The project, which was financed by Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East, from his share of the GETFund, involved work on the floor, changing of windows and doors, ceilings and roofing, as well as painting and was undertaken by Ofei Brothers Construction Works Limited based in Sunyani.
Speaking at the inauguration of the renovated structure at a brief ceremony, Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh debunked the notion that attending public schools was a hindrance to students passing their end-of-year examinations, adding that, he had been able to rise to his present position even though he attended such a school in his youth.
“It is what you are but not where you are. Once you have will power and determination, you can beat all the odds to achieve your aim. Do not ever downplay what the products of public schools can do”, he advised.
The MP pointed out that, it was incumbent on him to contribute his quota to his alma mater, stressing that there were multi- stakeholders in the development of education in the country, and predicted that some of the current students in both schools could become lawyers, doctors, engineers or nurses.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh observed that the best investment parents could make for their children was to ensure that they had the best education.
He also advised teachers to direct students on how to answer questions, since according to him, most of them failed their final examination because of the way they tackled questions.
The Sunyani Municipal Director of Education, Rev. Fr Timothy Kankam-Dwumfour, emphasised that if the rural child also got the opportunity to study under hygienic conditions and had good classrooms to use, then the country would be heading towards achieving the Millenium Development Goals.
He explained that, the introduction of the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme, free exercise books and the supply of free uniforms were all social interventions aimed at making education more attractive. He added that, teachers need to complement the government’s efforts.